Speech and language therapy seen as soft target for NHS cuts

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) today highlights a worrying emerging trend as NHS trusts cut "soft target" services to people with communication difficulties in their efforts to save money.

The move comes as the new Norfolk Primary Care Trust (which came into existence on Sunday 1 October 2006) cuts funding to children needing essential help with communication.

The lives of 130 children with disabilities in special schools and more than 300 children attending mainstream schools will be affected by these cuts.

RCSLT England Policy Officer Jane Mackenzie says, "For children with impoverished language, a supportive communication environment in the early years at home and in school is critical.

"Speech and language therapy support for parents, skilled carers and educators in the pre-school years minimises the risk of difficulties developing into permanent problems.

"These short-term local financial gains are creating huge potential problems for the future."

Norfolk neurologists, gastroenterologists and ENT surgeons have also written to the PCT to express their "deepest possible concern" that adult speech and language therapy services are being significantly reduced.

They outline the pivotal role speech and language therapy plays in the management of swallowing problems in chronic neurological conditions, such as motor neurone disease and Parkinson's disease.

"In many cases, these are the only services that can make a significant and positive difference to the lives of people with progressive neurological conditions, for which there is no cure," the experts say.

Meanwhile, Lincolnshire South West PCT has announced the closure of an essential support service for people who have difficulty with communication following stroke.

According to the Stroke Association, which manages the 19-year-old service at the IVO Day Centre in Spalding, the closure is the result of local financial problems.

In September, the Vale of Aylesbury speech and language therapy department was forced to turn children away. Children with speech and language difficulties can no longer access the vital treatment they need.

RCSLT CEO Kamini Gadhok says, "The Government has set standards for improving community care and for services to meet the needs of local communities.

"Delivery of these standards is at risk because services to people with communication difficulties are seen as a soft target by local NHS trusts eager to save money."

ENDS


For more information contact:
Jane Mackenzie, RCSLT England Policy Officer.
Tel: 0797 370 2772.
Email: jane.mackenzie@rcslt.org

Steven Harulow, RCSLT Communications Manager.
Tel: 020 7378 3004.
Email: steven.harulow@rcslt.org

Richard Guy, Head of CRM.
Tel: 020 7378 3010.
Email: richard.guy@rcslt.org


Notes for editors:

  • As a profession, speech and language therapy is particularly vulnerable to change in the NHS. There are 10,524 speech and language therapists registered with the Health Professions Council and the vast majority work in the NHS across the UK.
  • There is a recognised shortage of speech and language therapists in the UK. This means many clients (particularly children) are experiencing severe delays in accessing essential therapy
  • There is increased need for speech and language therapy intervention because people are living longer. Many more are living longer after cancer treatment and with problems such as dementia and stroke that affect communication; there is increased recognition of problems such as autism and learning difficulties; and improvements in neonatal care mean the number of pre-term babies surviving with developmental problems, such as cerebral palsy is increasing.
  • If children with communication difficulties cannot access treatment, research has shown that this can lead to behavioural problems1 and up to one third will suffer mental health problems, creating enormous costs later in life. And if they can't access education, their life chances and employment prospects are extremely poor2. This fits with the recent speech from PM Tony Blair about the importance of early intervention to prevent children being socially excluded and later offending.
  • The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK and has over 13,000 members. It is responsible for setting, promoting and maintaining high standards in education, clinical practice and ethical conduct.


Visit: http://www.rcslt.org for more information

1 Snow and Powell, Developmental Language Disorders and Adolescent Risk in Current Issues in Criminal Justice 16(2) Australia (2004)
2 Locke, Ginsborg and Peers, Development and Disadvantage in Early Years, International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders Vol 27 No 1 (2002)